Air compressor



Aug. 9, 1927. 1

H. M. DUNLAP- ET AL.

AIR COMPRESSOR Filed Jari.14. 1925 Swank Patented Aug. 9, 1927.

UNITED STATES v 1,638,114 PATENT OFFICE.

HARLEY M. DUNL-AP AND DELMER M. PUTNAM, OF- BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN; RHODA S. DUNLAP EXECUTRIX OF SAID HARLEY M. DUNLAP, DECEASED.

AIR COMPRESSOR;

' Application fi1ed J'anuary 14, 1925. Serial .No. 2,269. v

This invention relates to improvements in air compressors.

The main object of this, invention is to provide in an air compressor animproved .valve structure in which the valves are not likely to become fouled with lubricant or other material so as to become ineflicientand inoperative. v

' A further object is to provide an air compressor having these advantages in which the parts are very simple in structure and readily assembled} I Objects pertaining to details and'econ inies of our invention will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

We accomplish the objects of our invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The inventlon is clearlydefined and pointed out in the claims. v

A structure embodying the features of our invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a. part of this application, in which:

Fig. I is a fragmentary section of'an air compressor embodying the features of our invention taken on a. line corresponding to line 1-1 of Fig. II. r

F ig.'II is a horizontal section on a line corresponding to line2-2 of F 1g. I.

Fig. III is a plan View of. the inner head member with the discharge valve cage and valve removed.

Fig. IV is an inverted valve cages. V n

Fig. V is a detail section on a line corresponding to line 55.

In the drawing the sectional-v1ews are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the endsof the section lines and View of one of the similar numerals of reference indicate similar parts in all of the views. I

Referring to the drawing. ourimproved compressor comprises a cylinder 1 and a piston 2. The head of the cylinder comprises an inner head member 3 and an outer head member 4:. The inner head member is fiat or plate-like so that its faces may be readily machined, as may also the inner face of the outer head member.

The inner head member is provided with valve chambers 5 and 6 having annular raised valveseats 7 at the inner ends thereof. The valve chamber 5 beingthe inner valve chamber its valve seat faces inwardly and the valve chamber 6 being the outer valve chamber, its valve seat faces outwardly. The diameter of the valve chambers is substantially greater than that of the valve seats. 1 I

The valves 8 are in the form of flat disks, their diameter corresponding to the outside dlameter of the valve seats, so that no part of the valve overhangs theseat. The valves are retained and supported. by means of plug-like cages 9 which are threaded into the valve chambers and are provided with ports '10 in their vouter ends. These valve cageshave spaced longitudinal valve guidmg ribs 11 which project beyond the valve seats so that the valves are guided through out their movement.

The springs 12 are supported by the valve cages to coact with the valves. The Valve chambers are arranged so that the inlet valve cage overlaps the cylinder wall as shown in Fig. I, the cylinder thereby con stltutmg a locking means forthe cage rendering it impossible for the cage to loosen up and fall into the cylinder. I c

The outer head member overlapsthe discharge valve cage thereby constituting a locking means therefor. lVhil'e the results of the loosening of the discharge valve cage would not be so serious as might occur from the loosening of the inlet valve cage, it is of course desirable that the parts be retained in their adjusted position. ,It has been the experience of users of the pumps of'this typethat the valve wears down its seat and falls into the cylinder, causing very serious damage. To prevent such an accident; we form a groove 13 which extends from the port-"laterally. the groove being formed at the inner side of the head sothat in caseof excessive wear on the valve seat, the pump 7 becomes inoperative orinefiicient so thatrepairs are made before a serious accident occurs. 1

By thus supporting and guiding the valves the seats are kept clean by the action of thevalves thereon. there being no tendency for burned lubricant or other matter to build up on the valve or on the valve seat, thus preventing the effective operation of the valve as is frequently the case where theplate or disk valves are provided with radial guide project-ions or other guiding means whereby the valves or their radial guides overhang the sea-t.

\Ve have illustrateo and described our inrprovements in an embodiment which has proven very satisfactory. Ne have shown only suchportions of a compressor as seem desirable to illustrate v.an embodiment adaptation of our improvements. It is believed that the disclosure made will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt the same asmay be desired.

It will be observed that the head member 3 may be arranged either side up. Some; times the valves are subject to avery considerable wear, and to prevent wearing to the extent that the discharge valve will fall into the cylinder, and thereby break the cylinder causing serious injury thereto, we provide a groovedike recess 13 opening below the valve seat which renders the compressor entirely inoperative before there is s'ufiicient wear to permit the valve to drop into the cylinder.

Having thus described our invention what we claim asnew and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

L'In a compressor, the combination of a cylinder, a head therefor comprisii'ig su: perimposed head members, therinner head inemberhaving inlet and discharge valve chambers therein provided with annular raised valve seats,the outer head member havingv passages therein communicatingwith said valve chambers, disk valves coacting with said seats, the valve chambers being of a diameter substantially exceeding that,

of the valve seats, valve cageshaving ports in the outer ends thereof threaded into said valve chambers with their said guiding ribs projecting inwardly beyond the faces of said valve seats, the outer ends of said cages being flush with the faces of said inner head member, the valve'cage of the inlet valve being disposed in overlapping relation to the cylinder wall, the valve cage of thedischarge valve being arranged in overlapping relation to the outer head member providing locking means for the cages, and springs arranged within said cages to coactwith said.

valves.

2, In a compressor, the combinationof a cylinder, a head therefor comprisingsuperimposed head members. the'inner head member having inlet and discharge valve chambers therein provided with annular raised valve seats, the outer head member having passages therein communlcatmg with said 1 ber, the valve cage of the inlet valve: b' g disposed in overlappingrelation to the'cylvalve chambers, disk valves coacting with said seats, the valve chambers being of a diameter substantially exceeding that of the valve seats, valve cages having ports in-the outer. endsthe'reof disposedin said valve chambers with their guiding ribs projecting inwardly beyond the faces of said valve valve seats,-the outerhead member having passages therein communicating with said valve chambers, disk valves coacting with Y said seats, the valve chambers being of a diameter substantially exceeding that ofthe valve seats, valve cageshavii'ig ports'i'n the outer ends thereof disposed in said valve chambers,'the outer ends of said cages being fiushewith the faces of said inner head -merninder wall,- the valvecagefof the rd'ischa'irge valve being arrangedm overlapplng relation .to the outer head member providing looking means for the cages, and springs arranged Willlllll'SttlCl cages to coact with saidvalves.

4. In a compressor, the combination of a cylinder, a head therefor comprising"supe'r- V imposed headfmembers, the inner head mem ber having inlet and discharge valve chambers therein provided with, annular raised valve seats, th e outer head member having passages therein communicating with said valve chambers, disk valves coacti'ng with said seats, the valve chambers being of a v diameter substantially exceeding that ofth'e valve seats, valve cageshavingportsin the outer endsthereof disposed in said valve chambers, and springs arranged within said cages to coact with said valves.

5. Ina compressor, the combination-10f a cylinder, a head member, a valve chamber provided with a valve seat,'a' groove slik'e.re'- cess in saidhead member opening ,to said valve chamber below the valve seat, and a valve coacting with said seat. V

In witness whereof we have our hands. i

HARLEYM. DUNLAP. nELMnn-M. PU'INAM."

. hereunto set 

